----- Original Message -----
Subject: [IBC] white mineral on outside of pots?
In a message dated 3/6/2004 7:41:35 PM Eastern Standard Time,
writes:
I have several glazed Chinese pots that have a white crystal like
mineral
on
the out side.
The mineral will wipe off but in a few days it returns. Does anybody
know
what it is and how can I correct it?
This is a common trait of cheap Chinese pots that are molded from cheap clay
with lots of talc and glazed with cheap glaze and very underfired. (
somewhere around, or less, than our familiar terra cotta flower pots) The
water ( with minerals) actually seeps through the clay AND glaze to the
surface of the pot and when the water dries it leaves the minerals caking
on the surface. You can clean it with something like a 3M Scotch Brite pad
and coat with baby oil ( the oil will help a bit to stop sticking) but you
can't stop it. I guess you could coat the inside with something not attacked
by water BUT that would cost more than the pot! These pots are not to be
confused with high quality Chinese pots made now which are excellent quality
( although I wish they'd stop coating some of them with that darn wax that
flakes off after a short time requiring constant scrubbing/oiling also). The
type pots you talk about are only a couple dollars retail and probably
should be stayed away from, ESPECIALLY if you live where your trees freeze
in Winter. These pots don't have a chance of surviving freezing.
Also, with these pots you might notice lots of algea buildup in the summer
around bottom/lfeet.
Regards,
Dale Cochoy, Wild Things Bonsai Studio, Hartville, Ohio
http://www.WildThingsBonsai.Com
Specializing in power wood carving tools.
Yakimono no Kokoro bonsai pottery of hand-built stoneware
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